Up River, Down River... What's the Difference?

I have encouraged everyone involved to feel free and jot down a few thoughts about either adventure or any combination of them.  I am extremely pleased to have one of the Fab Four pioneers weighing in.  Seth's father, my Uncle and all of our comrade in Canoeing:  Harry.

The boys did it, well they are far from boys, but I am a lot farther from being a boy.  I am one of the old guys that tried this stupid “enjoyable” trip 41years ago, not a typo 41 years.  “ Wow “  a lot of water under the bridge since then , pun intended.  The old guys were 19, 19, 23 and 27, the youngest in the New group of Men was 30.  They had colder weather 40ish degrees vs. 75-85 degrees but we endured. 

  They had tents which according to them along with many other things, may not have been invented yet.  They had cell phones and maps, we had canoes and some beer, ok plenty of beer, we replenished once to ensure we had enough for the trip.  It was enough.  We were younger and arguably more foolish than these “boys”.  We knew everything and we knew to just follow the river.

  This being said by the guy who, when first entering the water went the wrong way, not necessarily on purpose.  We did a nice circle and headed down (oh hence the term downstream) now I got it.  I was in the front of the canoe paddling when I learned “pick a side, any f***ing side just pick a side” to row on.  I hadn’t been in a canoe before and learned something every day.

How bad could this be? Paddle a little, drink a cold beverage and relax.  I will let the new guys explain how that worked out for them we fared no better.

There were no modern conviences along the way (showers, TOILETS, beds) and I guess that hasn’t changed.  I didn’t have false expectations but it would have been nice if it had been invented.

I do want to say that we are very proud of these men, it was an accomplishment that can never be taken from them.  Some of these guys, although related some way or another, were strangers in many ways.  It is obvious to me they worked together and bonded in a way that can’t really be explained, at least by me and to do it justice.